Origin Agritech's next-generation GMO corn trait advances in approval process

Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) (the "Company" or "Origin"), an agriculture technology company, announced that its new GMO corn trait has finished its environmental release trials and is in preparations for production trials (the fourth stage in the five stage process to receive its bio-safety certificate).

The trait was developed in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Institution of Biotechnology and provides both pest and pesticide resistance. Notably, the trait provides broader insect resistance than the company's current insect resistant traits. The trait is the furthest along of any trait with similar resistances currently in the approval pipeline.

Commenting on the development, Wei Han, Origin's VP of Business Development said, "As China moves towards its GMO positive future, this new corn trait will allow us to be competitive in the GMO corn market for many years to come. It will help with both increasing yields to ensure the country's food security and decreasing the need for toxic insecticides."